Alexander McQueen passed away five years ago today. To mark the occasion, and to celebrate next month's McQueen retrospective, Savage Beauty, opening at London's Victoria and Albert Museum, we're taking a look back at his most extraordinary runway shows in video. McQueen's shows often verged on the edge of performance art and theater, and there's no better way to experience them than watching for yourself.

Fall 1995: Bum's The Word

This collection, titled "Highland Rape," shocked many thanks to classic Scottish references combined with overtly sexual pieces. On the runway, models flashed the audience with the appalling "Bumster skirt." McQueen explained, "With 'bumsters' I wanted to elongate the body, not just show the bum. To me, that part of the body—not so much the buttocks, but the bottom of the spine—that's the most erotic part of anyone's body, man or woman." This was just the beginning of McQueen's flair for the dramatic.

Spring 1997: Walking on Water

For McQueen's Spring 1997 collection, models walked down a set of concrete stairs and through a large puddle of water while wearing heels. The clothing was extreme, in true McQueen fashion—a pink metallic jacket that only allowed its wearer to hold her arms upright, a large square metal frame that connected a model's arms and legs, altering the way she walked and Far East-inspired dresses with sky-high collars.

Spring 1998: The Rain

Staying true to that of-the-elements inspiration, artificial rain fell over the models as they walked down the runway for the latter half of the Spring 1998 show. McQueen showed both men's and women's looks during the rainfall but everything was done all in white—creating a delicate, ethereal feel.

Fall 1998: Ring of Fire

Dubbed "Joan," McQueen's Fall 1998 collection explored the legendary Joan of Arc with body armor and elegantly-crafted jackets. For the finale, a model stepped out in a red fringed dress, its fabric obscuring her face. As she posed, a burning ring of fire shot up around her.

Spring 1999: Art Class

In McQueen's Spring 1999 show, models walked the open space in futuristic chiffon and origami-esque pants surrounded by two large, white machines. Toward the end of the show, a few models spun around mechanically, their faces cloaked in intricate headpieces. For the finale, Shalom Harlow spun on a similar platform while the two machines spray-painted her white dress.

Fall 2001: Round and Round We Go

While Karl Lagerfeld's Fall 2008 Chanel merry-go-round may be the most well-known in fashion, McQueen's came first. For his Fall 2001 collection, models wearing wide-leg pants and soft dresses rode around a large merry-go-round to music from Mary Poppins. Later, the soundtrack changed to hard rock and the clothing became more transparent and avant-garde. The merry-go-round ride event transformed from sweet to sexy with golden skeletons and black and orange balloons.

Spring 2003: Lost at Sea

The Spring 2003 show staged an elegant shipwreck. Footage of a model lost at sea with glam pirates played behind models swaying down the runway in Victorian-era boots, vests, and a serious smoky eye.

Spring 2004: Dancing Days

The "Deliverance" collection was all about the glam and grit of America's Great Depression; hence, sequined dresses and shining ball gowns with frayed edges. This show was staged as a non-stop dance marathon, with models like Karen Elson and more doing the tango and waltzing solo.

Spring 2005: Time for a Game

The incredible Spring 2005 collection sent models down the runway in traditional form until they lined up as a human chessboard. Billowing floral dresses and skirts contrasted against the futuristic human game board, complete with a robot voicing commands in the background.

Fall 2006: Kate the Great

In possibly one of the most memorable runway shows of all time, Kate Moss emerged as a hologram for the finale. The supermodel and long-time friend of McQueen wore a gorgeous, flowing gown as she drifted and floated above the crowd.

Spring/Summer 2010: Armadillo Crossing

One of his last shows ever, McQueen's Spring 2010 collection showcased his true talent as a one-of-a-kind visionary. His sense of color as well as proportion and print met sheer technical skill and craft through structured mini dresses and jumpsuits, as well as those unbelievable armadillo heels.

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